NFL Draft: Scout's Notebook

This is NFL Draft Scout's Notebook, where Matt McGuire will list the notes he took while scouting players for the 2011 NFL Draft, 2012 NFL Draft and beyond. Send Matt an e-mail here: mmcguire5@gmail.com.
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1st - 8:22 - Good anticipation of run, gets involved and makes nice tackle ... displays
elite run support ... love his instincts on this play ... good vision and attacked
A gap ... however, below average tackling technique a little finesse with the arm tackle

Joe Barksdale

1st - 14:37 - Good job staying low, using hands, and shows nice strength at POA ... turns right shoulder to use angle and cut off DE

1st - 14:27 - Fluid in getting to second level ... gets tripped

1st - 12:18 - Could have done a better job of sealing off DT here and attacking his outside shoulder

1st - 11:19 - Just analyzing technique here - does a good job of staying low and keeping
knees/butt bent out of 3-pt stance, then when he gets hands into linemen he uses legs
and hips to generate push

1st - 9:03 - 3rd and goal on 6 yd line (shotgun, 4 WR set) ... Great kick step, stays low in stance, patient and waits for DE to make move ... great posture ... elite footwork, steps are choppy and quick not long and slow, doesn't cross feet ... once Barksdale identifies speed rush, he aligns shoulders to angle off DE

1st - 7:06 - LOVE his hand extension here and does a great job of controlling DE ...
good job adjusting after DE makes a quick move outside

1st - 6:37 - Nice footwork and continues to show great technique, but he gets caught on heels and DE catches him off balance

In early 2nd QTR, Barksdale could get more involved and physical in run game ... he is a bit finesse and seems
to lack a killer instinct as a run blocker

1st - 5:26 - Shows very good strength again in solo tackle of TE ... intense and competitive.

2nd - 4:18 - (punt return) - Nice vision as he uses outside blocker to create running lane ... cuts up field and
shows 4.4 speed as he blazes by North Carolina defense ... Very good speed, but didn't show elite speed here

Terrance Tolliver

1st - 11:51 - Has to go down low to receiver poorly thrown pass ... good adjustment and hangs onto football after hit ... big play on 3rd down to keep drive alive in red zone

Steven Ridley

1st - 11:19 - Cuts quickly with nice agility and C.O.D. ... identifies cutback lane and
has good quickness ... seems to have tenacious running style as well and pumps feet and drives forward falling down after contact